GUWAHATI: A host of affiliated Manipuri bodies in Assam have burned the effigy of Chief Minister (CM) Sarbananda Sonowal and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. They demand Manipuri to be declared as an associate official language in the state.
The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal on October 8 announced that the civil service aspirants of Barak Valley who have not studied Assamese, Bengali, or Bodo languages will be exempted from appearing in the qualifying language paper in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) CEE examination.
However, the Manipuri bodies led by Manipuri Youths Front (MYFA) along with other affiliates such as AAMMSU, AAMPAL, others have criticised the decision.
"We are not satisfied with today's decision as we are demanding Manipuri to be included as the associate official language of the state. We are demanding inclusion and not this," said Herajit Singh, President, MYFA.
He further stated that they want Manipuri to have the same status as Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali and called for a four language formula in Assam, with Manipuri being the fourth language.
